WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE – October 2020

WELLINGTON OCTOBER 2020

Bringing You The Best Of Wellington Since 2004

THE MAGAZINE

BRIDES

2020

Plus

Today’s Real Estate Market Is Booming Early Detection Of Breast Cancer Is Key Unique Dishes, Quaint Atmosphere At Mole New Venture Offers Gourmet Cheese Boards

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Wellington Heroes Working Here Wellington Residents Thank You! To all our healthcare heroes:

VILLAGE COUNCIL

LEFT TO RIGHT TOP

Michael J. Napoleone, Tanya Siskind, Vice Mayor, Michael Drahos LEFT TO RIGHT BOTTOM

John T. McGovern, Anne Gerwig, Mayor

Our doctors, nurses, medical staff, and all the healthcare providers on the frontlines of COVID-19, we thank you for all that you do to care for our community and keep us safe.

October 2020

contents

BRIDES

2020

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PALM BEACH BRIDES 2020: FROM YES TO THE DRESS, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN Wellington The Magazine’s annual Palm Beach Brides issue brings romance back to the forefront and proclaims, “Love is not canceled!”This year, we look at some of the high fashion gowns that brides can choose from, get some tips on wedding planning from expert Rosina DiBello, take a look at what local venues have to offer, and take a trip down memory lane with Al and Lenyce Boyd as they celebrate 25 years of love.

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TODAY’S REAL ESTATE MARKET IS BOOMING, PARTICULARLY FOR TECH-SAVVY REALTORS Local real estate properties are selling like hotcakes amid the current pandemic, especially for tech-savvy Realtors and their clients who know the ins and outs of the sales tools available to help in socially distant home shopping. Shelley Sandler and Mary Miller, two of Wellington’s leading Realtors associated with Illustrated Properties, agreed that the region is hot, real estate wise. BY M. DENNIS TAYLOR

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JESSICA DUEMIG WARNS THAT BREAST CANCER IS A CONCERN FOR ALL WOMEN Jessica Duemig was 32 years old when she discovered a lump that turned out to be breast cancer — eight years before she was due for her first mammogram. Since then, she has written a book about her experience and become an advocate for early detection of this dreaded disease. BY M. DENNIS TAYLOR

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MAMMOGRAMS SHOULD REMAIN A PRIORITY EVEN IN UNCERTAIN TIMES The pandemic has thrown things into disarray, causing most people to change habits and delay plans. But one activity women should not postpone is getting a mammogram. Cancer won’t wait until the pandemic ends.

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WELLINGTON REGIONAL OPENS THE NEW WELLINGTON CENTER OF INTERNAL MEDICINE To provide the continuum of care from the hospital bedside and beyond, Wellington Regional Medical Center has opened the Wellington Center of Internal Medicine located on the hospital’s main campus.

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CHEESE AND CHARCUTERIE BOARDS ARE THE FOCUS OF A NEW WELLINGTON VENTURE Their smiles are charming, but it’s the unforgettable events Julie and Aaron Menitoff put together that really win people over.These days, their productions are downright cheesy.The Wellington couple recently launched CheeseBoarder.com, shipping artistically presented, small-batch, artisanal cheeses and cured meats straight to customers’ doorsteps.

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LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY TO HOST 2020 LIGHT THE NIGHT EVENT ON NOV. 12 Cancer doesn’t stop during a global crisis.This year, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) will host its signature community fundraising campaign, Light The Night, as a virtual event.

35 47

on the cover

Photography Studio | Rosina DiBello Floral Designer | Robin Feinglas from Why Not Wild Flowers?

Property Manager | Doug Ratchford Property | Palm Beach Zoo Designer Gowns | Bacio Bacio Hair Pieces | Hair Comes the Bride Married in Palm Beach UpLighting | David Guzman DJ Trakz Event Organizer | Fourtuna Events Film | Metric Films Hair/Makeup | Kiss This Makeup LLC

AND UNIQUE DISHES IN A QUAINT 63 TASTY ATMOSPHERE AT MOLE CANTINA MEXICANA The Mexican cuisine is as diverse as the sauce behind the name at one of Wellington’s newest restaurants, Mole Cantina Mexicana.“It’s a melting pot,” owner Nick Cervera said.“Mole is a special sauce. It has got a chocolate base and is made with about 30 different ingredients.” It’s that integration of ingredients that served as inspiration for Cervera and his wife Maria Elizalde, creator of the cantina’s cuisine. BY MELANIE KOPACZ

WELLINGTON SOCIAL SCENE

12 Wellington Seniors Club Members Enjoy A Drive-Through Lunch 14 Make-A-Wish Delivers A Customized Golf Cart To Wellington Girl wellington the magazine | october 2020

9

from the

publisher

BRIDES

PALM BEACH BRIDES 2020: FROM YES TO THE DRESS, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN! In our annual Palm Beach Brides issue, Wellington The Magazine sits down with local wedding venues to discuss the recent changes due to COVID-19.

And although the pandemic has made couples take a detour on the road to tying the knot, we are happy to report that,“Love is most certainly not canceled.” We were happy to hear how so many couples plan on going forward with their big day.Also in our Palm Beach Brides section, we help couples explore local venues and bridal gown options, hear from experts in the industry on current trends, and take a trip down 25 years of love, with a look back featuring Lenyce and Al Boyd.

Meanwhile, the local real estate market is booming — particularly for agents and clients who are tech-savvy and understand how to use all the virtual tools that have revolutionized the industry. We chat about this and other real estate trends with Shelley Sandler and Mary Miller, two of Wellington’s leading Realtors associated with Illustrated Properties.

Wellington’s Julie and Aaron Menitoff are well-known as a catering power couple.With the changes brought by the pandemic, they have switched gears and launched CheeseBoarder.com, shipping artistically presented, small-batch, artisanal cheeses and cured meats straight to customers’ doorsteps. As you await the arrival of your cheese and charcuterie board, stop

by Mole Cantina Mexicana on State Road 7 and enjoy tasty, unique dishes in an authentic Mexican atmosphere.We take a look at both of these new local offerings in this issue.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we profile survivor Jessica Duemig, who warns that breast cancer is a concern for women of all ages. On the same topic, experts agree that mammograms should remain a priority, even in our uncertain COVID-19 times.We learn about the latest in mammogram technology from Dr. Kathy Schilling, medical director of the Christine E. Lynn Women’s Health & Wellness Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital.

We hope you enjoy this month’s issue, as you browse through our pages and take in all that our amazing community continues to be. If you will be planning a wedding, be sure to check out our web site and download our Palm Beach Brides checklist to help you with your big day!

This has truly been a fun issue to put together, and we want to thank the many loyal business partners, advertisers, readers and our team, which is dedicated to making every issue special. As we feel a slight breeze into the fall, we prepare for our annual Equestrian Season Preview issue in November, jam-packed with highlights and what the upcoming winter season will have to offer.

Dawn Rivera

Dawn Rivera, Publisher

10 october 2020 | wellington the magazine

2020

volume 17, number 9 OCTOBER 2020

executive editor Joshua I. Manning

publisher

Dawn Rivera

senior graphic designer Stephanie Rodriguez

graphic designers Nancy Pobiak Yolanda Cernicky

account managers Betty Buglio Evie Edwards Joetta Palumbo

bookkeeping

Jill Kaskel Carol Lieberman

photography Abner Pedraza

contributors

Matthew Auerbach Meredith Burow Denise Fleischman Melanie Kopacz Mike May Callie Sharkey M. Dennis Taylor Y.A. Teitelbaum Deborah Welky

WELLINGTON Bringing You The Best Of Wellington Since 2004

THE MAGAZINE

12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 33 Wellington, FL 33414 Phone: (561) 793-7606 Fax: (561) 793-1470 www.wellingtonthemagazine.com

published by

Wellington The Magazine. LLC

chairman/ceo

Barry S. Manning Wellington The Magazine is published monthly in Wellington, Florida. Copyright 2020, all rights reserved by Wellington The Magazine, LLC. Contents may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising. The publisher accepts no responsibility for advertisement errors beyond the cost of the portion of the advertisement occupied by the error within the advertisement itself. The publisher accepts no responsibility for submitted materials. All submitted materials subject to editing.

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The attorneys at the law offices of Pike & Lustig, LLP, a full-service law firm, understand our clients’ business litigation needs, in both State and Federal Courts.

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wellington | social scene

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN

Wellington Seniors Club Members Enjoy A Drive-Through Lunch Approximately 250 members of the Wellington Seniors Club enjoyed a box lunch giveaway on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at Village Park.

The Village of Wellington partnered with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the Wellington Community Foundation and local businesses to make the event a success.The Wellington Community Foundation also provided an activities bag for seniors to enjoy during their downtime at home.Also included was a “thinking of you note” that lets seniors know that they are missed throughout the community, as well as an informative foundation brochure including vital information that seniors should know about.

(Left to right) Community volunteers made the event a success; Wellington Community Foundation representatives Jim Sackett, Maggie Zeller and Hope Barron; and Wellington Seniors Club members Caterina Evangelista, Eileen Kuhnel, Rosie Goldson, Marie Coleman, Shirley Horn and Stephanie Parreco.

(Left to right) Wellington Senior Specialist Jenifer Brito brings the box lunches outside; Barbara Hastings-Griffin arrives for her box lunch; Doug and Jill Speck with Copper; Selma Waters waves; and Jim Sackett of the Wellington Community Foundation gives Nancy Koloff lunch and goodie bags.

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12 october 2020 | wellington the magazine

wellington | social scene

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN

Make-A-Wish Delivers A Customized Golf Cart To Wellington Girl Make-A-Wish Southern Florida granted Wellington resident Marianna Mohar’s wish for a customized golf cart on Saturday, Sept.

12.The 12-year-old has been battling for more than five years against an autoimmune disease that causes, among other problems, inflammation of her heart. She has been hospitalized numerous times, and the conditions result in significant pain in her back, shoulders and chest. Marianna wished for a customized golf cart that will enable her to connect with friends and participate in activities in her neighborhood. Make-A-Wish surprised the young girl at her home with an elaborate reveal of the golf cart.

(Left to right) Make-A-Wish Southern Florida representatives with family and friends; Marianna Mohar with her new golf cart; and Marianna gets a lesson from Yamaha Golf Carts District Sales Manager Jeff Andrews.

(Left to right) Make-A-Wish Southern Florida Chief Operating Officer Richard Kelly and Vice President of Programs Karen Mullins with Marianna Mohar; Marianna takes a ride with her mother Gloria; and Marianna rides with her brother Michael.

CE L Fa 29 EBR m A Y ily Ow EA TI NG R ne d S S! in

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Follow Us

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Same Day Delivery Order Instantly from Your Smartphone Largest Selection of Flowers

Wellington Florist is your most trusted provider of floral creations for your wedding or bespoke event. Serving Palm Beach County since 1991, our team of expert designers have the experience and savvy to bring to life your floral vision. We will work with you from day one on concept design, flower and color selections, bridal and bridesmaids bouquets, table centerpieces and focal designs for your venues such as arches, arbors and aisle decor. Through our Farm to Florist approach to buying we seek out the best growers suited to provide you with the best seasonal blooms available. Call us today for a free consultation for your event in Palm Beach County. Accepting select dates in 2020-2021.

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14 october 2020 | wellington the magazine

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BRIDES From Yes To The Dress!

And Everything In Between

Hair & Makeup | @ivyleezstudio Hair | @styledbychariviana Makeup | @makeupbylisaraye Photo by Toni Jade Photography

wellington the magazine | october 2020

17

Let’s A

Photographer Rosina DiBello at work.

& QA

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october 2020 | wellington the magazine

Ask A Photographer & Bridal Expert About Wedding Planning Today Our world has been re-imagined since COVID-19, and the wedding industry is not exempt. But do not fear, love has not been canceled! As Palm Beach County moves through phases of re-opening, we sit down with longtime photographer and wedding expert Rosina DiBello to hear more about her approach when meeting with couples to discuss the long-term and short-term plans for their big day.

Q:How have you and your team reinvented yourselves as this new era

of wedding planning emerged?

A: Things are definitely changing within the wedding industry. Over the years, I have

learned to resolve problems as they arise. Planning a wedding is a very personal thing, and I knew my couples were about to shift gears. My collaboration started with my most trusted vendors — Robin Feinglas, a floral designer who owns Why Not Wildflowers? and Vanessa Fuller of Vanessa Fuller Events. We started a conversation on how creating “micro weddings” would be the best and obvious choice for couples and their families.

We knew that there would be no large events in the foreseeable future. We assembled vendors we trust and started our micro wedding mission. We felt that a styled shoot could mimic a true feel and flow of a micro wedding. I was contacted by Bacio Bacio, a local bridal store, which volunteered to donate designer wedding gowns for the shoot.

We were able to collaborate and photograph, creating visuals so that couples could envision what a micro wedding is and how they could incorporate it into their dream wedding. These photos illustrate how intimate details can make their micro wedding special.

Q: What exactly is a “micro wedding?” a wedding that discards many typical wedding day traditions, keeps the focus on A: Ittheis bride and groom’s vows, shrinks down the hours of the wedding, and only your closest family and friends are invited. Throw in a little sense of adventure, and you have a micro wedding. I designed a sample itinerary. First guests arrive and are seated (with social distancing), a musician starts the procession, a 10-minute wedding features vows exchanges with an officiant, and then the bride and groom are announced. Champagne is then served to guests (again, with social distancing) and speeches commence. The couple has their first dance, followed by cake. Yum, cake! The guests now leave because it is time for the couple and the family photos. My favorite part is that I get a full hour wellington the magazine | october 2020

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Let’s Ask A Photographer & Bridal Expert or more undisturbed with my couple to enjoy a rockin’ portrait session and create some amazing images. My idea of a micro wedding is focusing on the wedding day experience and the safety of all involved. Ultimately, I get amazing shots of my couple because the typical wedding day pressures are not there, and it turns into a very relaxed photo session.

I am a paperless company, so my clients all receive an online contract that can be digitally signed and a private online gallery. A Zoom consultation will ensure that all parties can consult safely. Videography is also an option for a beautiful wedding day love story film, and live streaming can be set up for guests who cannot personally attend. Florals are a very important part of a wedding. What is a wedding without flowers? Flower designer Robin will listen to you and create a custom design. This will include a bouquet and boutonniere. There are upgrades, such as an arch or a meadow. Her focus is on sustainable floral designs. What is a wedding day without a wedding gown? Just because your wedding day has a smaller guest count, does not mean that it is ruined or any less important. Plan on your dream gown! Bacio Bacio has implemented safety standards and sanitary measures for brides who go to the shop and pick out their perfect dress with the guidance of owner Lenyce Boyd and her qualified staff. Musician options are vocalists, a violinist, a DJ, an acoustic guitarist or a steel drummer. This just brings the occasion to the next level and makes it more personalized to your taste. Fun options include a champagne buggy called Bee-Ella-Fizz. She is a genuine vintage Piaggio Ape 50 moped truck on wheels imported from Italy. She can easily fit in most backyards. Another beautiful option is a white dove release by Kim Hinterschied. The doves are pets of the owner and trained to circle above the wedding before they fly home. We also work with officiants willing to customize a simple and elegant ceremony.

And lastly, a wedding coordinator can be available to ensure that each couple’s style is showcased and captured. With all the moving parts of a wedding day, a qualified coordinator will make it all run smoothly.

should consider a micro wedding, and Q: Who how does a couple know if it is right for them? experience is there are two different trends. First A: My there are the couples who are outright canceling their wedding in exchange for a no-stress, intimate and elegant micro wedding experience. Second, some couples still want to get married on their planned day, but plan an additional larger event later, so they keep their date and create a micro wedding, scale down the guest list but keep the quality vendors. I have also seen that some couples have tried the second plan, yet after moving their date twice, they simply made the micro wedding decision and decided to invest in purchasing a home.

How many guests can Q:

a couple invite?

This important question. This depends A: on a isfewa really key things. What county do you live in?

Each county has its own set of regulations that are changing weekly, so keep this in mind when planning a micro wedding date. It depends also on how your venue is zoned. For example, 50 percent capacity is allowed at restaurants. However, in other venues, you can only have up to 20 until the next stage commences. Venues are sitting with couples and making decisions based on the needs of each couple.

My recommendation for a micro wedding is under 20 guests, offering a live stream for the additional guests, which can allow up to 1,000 or more. Couples should keep in mind that guests from out of the country may not be able to enter the country. Guests in the U.S. may not be able to travel because of the inconvenience. are some of the options you include Q: What in your micro wedding packages? base photography package is two to three hours A: The of photography coverage with a complete set of

high-resolution digital images completely edited.

The add-on options are albums, canvas prints, etc.

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october 2020 | wellington the magazine

you get a sense that brides feel like they are Q: Do settling or being deprived of their big day, or perhaps a sense of relief that there is an alternative to canceling their wedding day altogether?

Honestly, brides are opening up to me and expressing that scaling the guest count down is better solution then the alternative feeling of being guilted into inviting so many guests that they are obligated to invite. In this case, they are relieved to get married on their original date and avoid the stress of the unknown. On the other hand, if a couple is moving forward with a micro wedding and then a big party next year, they are excited to celebrate twice!

A:

MAURICIO MELHADO, M.D Cardiologist

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Let’s Ask A Photographer & Bridal Expert venues are you currently working with Q:What to provide couples with options?

Little Farm House in Miami. Built in the 1920s A: 1.andThelocated on a river, it boasts eight cabins with

team’s main objective is to create a stress-free A: My wedding day experience for my couples. This

Caribbean décor and wildlife that roams freely.

2. Airbnb. This gives my clients free rein to bring in a caterer and not have a time limit — and, as a bonus, they can stay the night!

3. Galuppi’s at the Pompano Beach Golf Course. This offers indoor and outdoor options. It is directly on a golf course with its famous bridge and lakes.

4. The Palm Beach Zoo. This property is for that couple seeking a unique and natural environment that is so much fun. Animal encounters and an outdoor/indoor dining experience with a fabulous chef can be arranged.

5. The Sample-McDougald House in the Pompano Beach Historic District. This is a 1916 historic museum with a garden and outdoor dance floor.

6. Pan’s Garden in Palm Beach, near Worth Avenue.

This botanical garden surrounds you with beauty and unique architectural features.

7. The Old Riverhouse Vegan Village in Fort Lauderdale.

8. Davie Ranch. This has a huge barn that is active with horses, goats and chickens. A garden area set up for an intimate ceremony is followed by a unique photography experience in a real barn.

9. The Ancient Spanish Monastery in North Miami. This features outstanding gardens that are beautifully manicured with flowering trees up against a 12th century Gothic building.

10. Any beach in Palm Beach. Most we are already permitted for.

Are you working with couples who previously had a Q: traditional wedding planned that had to be scaled back or are you seeing more newly engaged couples who want to get married before larger group events are permitted?

Approximately 75 percent of my clients currently are ones who have moved their weddings. I have a busy photography studio that averages 60 weddings per year. The additional 25 percent are newly engaged couples who want an extended engagement session and the micro wedding experience. I’m seeing that couples are putting a great deal of importance on their portrait sessions with me.

A:

are you able to give the bride and groom an Q: How experience of a lifetime even though their special day needs to be scaled down?

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october 2020 | wellington the magazine

pandemic has started a new trend with weddings that have a “sense of adventure.” By using my most trusted vendors, we can confidently do this. I feel it is really important to stress that a micro wedding can be very elegant and tastefully done by using qualified professionals that care about your wedding day as much as you do. We have all been in the industry for many years and are qualified to guide you through the bumps in the road. you finding other industry professionals willing Q: Are to work with you by offering extra discounts or added value during this time?

Absolutely, yes! All of us are understanding the importance of customizing our fees to accommodate today’s bride

A:

are some of the benefits of the Q: What micro wedding concept?

This is our priority to ensure that everyone A: Safety! involved equally feels safe. Social distancing the

chairs by clustering them in twos or fours and then six feet apart, or creating a circle of chairs around the bride and groom, will keep everyone a safe distance from each other. Guests who cannot travel can enjoy via live streaming. Financially, it can save you a lot of money that can be used to invest in your future. The average South Florida wedding costs $30,000. A micro wedding averages between $3,500 to $5,500, depending on the number of vendors you are working with. But most importantly, it eliminates a lot of wedding stress and keeps the focus on the couple and their vow exchange. would you recommend couples consider when Q: What choosing a micro wedding over waiting for the all clear and opting for a larger traditional wedding plan sometime in the future?

They should be very excited that they have great options of professionals in the industry who are ready and willing to help navigate through the planning. They can fully embrace their wedding day to make it unique to them and discard your typical wedding day with all its formalities.

A:

Learn more about Rosina DiBello and her services at www.rosinadibello.com.

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BRIDES

Finding Your Dream Dress!

As you start the search for the wedding dress of your dreams, you can begin by preparing the ever-popular “look book.” This can be one of the most exciting parts of your wedding planning!

Stylists at the bridal boutiques can offer their best advice, but you will know when you know. That must-have-this-dress feeling will consume you.

Be sure to create a realistic budget before you start your search for that perfect gown, so when you begin your travels, you will have a price range you can fall into, allowing for just the perfect dress to be discovered.

Find a bridal salon and a stylist you feel comfortable with, as trust can be paramount to the dress-buying experience.

Remember, be open to different possibilities. It costs you nothing to try on as many dresses as you wish. Try unique styles, and have fun with patterns and fabrics — including lace and silhouette styles.

Remember, it is your day. Do it your way, and revel in the most magical experience of your life!

Enjoy our high fashion bridal gown pictorial over the next several pages to give you some ideas on your quest for that perfect dress.

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october 2020 | wellington the magazine

Photography Studio | Rosina DiBello Floral Designer | Robin Feinglas from Why Not Wild Flowers?

Property Manager | Doug Ratchford Property | Palm Beach Zoo Designer Gowns | Bacio Bacio Hair Pieces | Hair Comes The Bride Married in Palm Beach UpLighting | David Guzman DJ Trakz Event Organizer | Fourtuna Events Film | Metric Films Hair/Makeup | Kiss This Makeup LLC

wellington the magazine | october 2020

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Beautiful F lowers for that Special Day

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october 2020 | wellington the magazine

BRIDES

2020

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wellington the magazine | october 2020

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wellington the magazine | october 2020

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BRIDES

2020

Calla Blanche - 19110 Willow - Whimsical and sublime, this beautiful ball gown wedding dress features a v-plunge neckline, beautiful bold floral motifs and trendy pockets. This flattering masterpiece is sure to be the most memorable part of your special day.

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wellington the magazine | october 2020

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BRIDES

2020

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Hair & Makeup | Aymee Hernandez Video | Metric Films Venue | Davie Ranch Event Coordinator | Vanessa from Vanessa Fuller Events

wellington the magazine | october 2020

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Love Is N ot Canceled

Patricia Miele

International Polo Club Palm Beach As the director of catering at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, Patricia Miele and her team aim to make any event extraordinary, for any occasion, size or theme, including full bridal packages. The expert staff ensures a successful and stress-free event.

The IPC team is highly skilled at putting together so many different events, including weddings, and creating new ways to make them exciting, fun and memorable. “Although we have modified our venue layouts, staffing and catering offerings to make sure that all guests have a safe and enjoyable experience due to the pandemic. We go out of our way to ensure what has become the ‘new normal’ doesn’t make the event feel too different from past wedding experiences,” Miele said.

IPC offers extensive menu options that include exceptional desserts, a customized bar service, as well as stunning florals to create an enchanting ambiance. The talented teams of artists design original events within a budget and timeline that works for clients.

The venue offers a unique setting, between polo matches being played in the background, to the beautiful lush landscaped grounds, to brides being brought to the venue in horse and carriage. IPC is a truly picturesque wedding venue.

When it comes to the menu, IPC offers custom creations for all palates. Some trends are casual meals, farm to table, nostalgia foods and dessert tables. A fancy plated meal is typical for a wedding reception. “We believe it is one of the best days of your life and should be all about having the time of your life,” Miele said.

Although, the current pandemic has changed the landscape for weddings, the International Polo Club works to make sure that the love shines through during a bride and groom’s memorable day. “Clients trust us for our meticulous planning, management and execution of successful special events. Events, regardless of the size, require experienced hands for both the creative and practical details. Creating a seamless and memorable event that aligns with your goals and reflects your personality is what we do,” Miele said. “The International Polo Club is closely monitoring federal, state and local regulations, as well as WHO recommendations and CDC guidelines, to ensure that we are continuously providing a safe environment for our clients and their guests.”

The pandemic has created some temporary changes to the wedding industry.

“I do believe COVID-19 has changed the way that many couples feel about large weddings during the current situation,” Miele said. “The impact is that we are seeing smaller, more intimate weddings for 2020. In speaking with future brides, they say they

do want to go back to the larger weddings where guests can feel comfortable in gathering and dancing with all of their loved ones around them.”

Already, Miele is seeing many creative adaptations. “Weddings are adding the virtual element to allow the guests that are unable to attend to watch the ceremony and reception from afar,” she said. “These virtual weddings have become more popular and have added a personal touch when guests cannot attend.”

The goal is to allow the happy couple to enjoy the celebration while IPC takes care of the details. “Our hope is for all our clients and couples to feel comfortable enough to gather with family and friends,” Miele said. “We want our clients to put their trust in our venue. We have put protocols in place and strive to have a safe environment for them — and, as an end result, we want them to have had the best experience ever. As many weddings have been postponed until 2021, couples and their guests will be more eager than ever to celebrate love — and one of life’s biggest moments — together, especially after long periods of isolation. The International Polo Club is looking forward to being a part of their big day as they say ‘I do’ to their new life together as a married couple.”

In this way, the end result stays the same.

“Couples are still getting married but are now searching for new ways to make their big day special,” Miele said. “In the end, it’s all about marrying the person you love.”

The International Polo Club is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington. For more info., call (561) 204-5687 or visit www.internationalpoloclub.com.

wellington the magazine | october 2020

35

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october 2020 | wellington the magazine

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Love Is N ot Canceled

Wellington National Golf Club At Wellington National Golf Club, the professional staff enjoys helping clients achieve their vision for the event, and that includes creating unique menus, proposals and assisting with making arrangements on the client’s behalf, such as hiring entertainment and arranging for rentals. They make sure that all last-minute details, including the coordination of timelines, floor plans and staffing, are complete in order to execute the event exactly the same way that the client has envisioned it.

Wellington National has many great characteristics for all types of events, including weddings, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners and more, and they are a large venue that in normal times can accommodate up to 400 guests. The ballroom has beautiful ceiling draping, as well as plank-style flooring, in addition to picturesque natural light, as it opens up onto a beautiful piazza, which is tropically landscaped and perfect for an outdoor ceremony.

While the pandemic has made some couples take a detour in tying the knot, love is most certainly not canceled. “Our team has complied with the national, state and local mandates, including reducing room capacities to allow for social distancing,” General Manager Ted Strelec said, adding that some people have chosen to postpone their wedding. “We had to cancel a bunch when we first went into the closure, but people seem to have taken it in stride. If they were dead set on having 150 people, they’re just waiting with the hope that everything is clear by 2021 and back to normal. The people calling us right now, they have already reduced their number of guests — there are no groups larger than 50. People have concerns. The new normal is to have tables of 10 or less. Here, we’ve also adopted a new thing. We ask the bride and groom to group families together at tables, so we have tightknit groups who know each other rather than seating strangers together.”

The team at Wellington National aims to be flexible with the couples who choose to plan an event with them to create a special day, unique to the bride and groom. They are happy to customize menus and cocktails and encourage them to outline their vision of that perfect day — then the Wellington National team makes that vision come to fruition.

Some changes due to the pandemic include no longer offering walk-up, self-serve buffet service. “That’s something new that we never had to worry about before,” Strelec said. “In lieu of buffets, we are creating manned action stations where our food and beverage team members serve the guests in a common area to eliminate contamination. This could become the new norm.”

Wellington National’s clubhouse and surrounding areas suit this pandemic era perfectly. “We have vast courtyard areas for open-air requests, and our grand ballroom is large enough to re-

sponsibly social-distance the tables while hosting an indoor wedding with space for a dance floor,” Strelec said. “It’s large enough to where we can put a party of 50 in there, set up the ceremony and have room for the DJ and the dance floor — all under one roof. We have a wall that divides the room, so we can close that wall for an intimate feeling during the ceremony and then, while the guests turn out to do cocktails, we open the wall and convert to an open space.”

Not only is Wellington National a beautiful venue that is unique and centrally located, but they are there to make things as easy and stress-free as possible, priding themselves on being flexible with almost every detail to ensure that each couple gets the day for which they have been waiting their whole lives.

This includes current adaptations such as Zoom or FaceTime broadcasts that allow family members who are not able to be present to see the event live.

“This is a good adaptation. It could be the new norm for smaller events,” Strelec said. “It’s great for elderly family members or people in different countries to attend via technology. I think it’s going to become commonplace from now on.”

Strelec hopes that two people who want to get married will find a way to have their special day regardless of what is going on in the world. “That is what we humans do best — adapt!” he said.

The Wellington National Golf Club is located at 400 Binks Forest Drive in Wellington. For more info., call (561) 333-5731 or visit www.wellingtonnationalgolfclub.com.

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COMING SOON!

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www.ShultsOrthodontics.com 38

october 2020 | wellington the magazine

Love Is N ot Canceled

Whit

Garcia

The Wanderers Club PHOTOS BY JESSICA BORDNER PHOTOGRAPHY

At the Wanderers Club, Director of Catering Whitney Garcia works very closely with couples from their very first tour of the venue to the last dance of the night. In her second decade helping a bride’s dream turn into a reality, Garcia said this is her true passion. The Wanderers Club is a unique venue with so much to offer.

“We are able to customize each couple’s experience while maintaining flexibility in each stage of the planning,” Garcia said.

“The unique thing about the Wanderers Club is the vast property with countless areas available to our brides on their special day.”

The focal point is the recently renovated ballroom with its new design, which is light and fresh with just the perfect blend of modern and elegant. It truly takes your breath away.

Although the traditional plated dinner is always a popular choice for wedding receptions, the Wanderers Club offers many options. “We offer some of the most fun and creative food ideas, and together we can customize the food experience like no other,” Garcia said. “The Wanderers Club is ideal for any event. We offer large and small packages for bar/bat mitzvahs to sweet sixteens to corporate events.”

Although the pandemic has brought major changes to the wedding industry, Garcia is there to help brides and grooms navigate this new terrain while still offering them a wonderful wedding experience. One of the biggest changes has been opening up more outside space for weddings.

“We have a beautiful, covered terrace that allows couples to host their wedding outside with less regulations than inside the ballroom,” Garcia said. “We also have a large pool deck to host the cocktail reception, rehearsal dinner, ceremony or any type of event. Our outside space is so elegant and welcoming in the evening and makes guests a little more at ease during these unique times. During the wedding, we have increased staff to help reduce some of the guest interaction. For example, more cocktail servers mean less guests mingling at the bar. We also have servers preparing plates at stations and buffets so only one person is touching the serving utensils. Of course, we are also following all of the county guidelines with limited guest counts, the requirement of masks and the practice of social distancing.”

Some weddings have lowered their guest count, which allows them more room in the budget for fun elements, such as welcome cocktails, late night snacks, coffee bars and more.

“We also have some couples deciding to change their reception menu from stations to plated dinners, which encourages less interaction and more social distancing,” Garcia explained. “We are also seeing new personalized elements being added, such as

monogrammed masks and customized bottles of hand sanitizer.”

But the biggest change is the limit on capacity. “It has been very hard for couples to reduce their invite list to fit within the limited capacity regulations,” Garcia said. “We also have a lot of couples getting married on their original date but postponing the big celebration. No matter what the couple decides, we are doing our best to work with each one in creating the wedding of their dreams in a safe environment.”

Yet one thing that truly has stayed the same is the love. “The love and excitement that a wedding brings will always be the same,” Garcia said. “Couples are still happy to be joining their lives together with their closest family and friends. It may not look like they originally envisioned, with less people and more masks, but they are still in love and ready to begin their lives together. Not even a pandemic can change that!”

With creativity, weddings today can overcome any obstacles and continue to shine.

“My hope is that couples will continue to dream big when it comes to their special day,” Garcia said. “It is one of the most special days of their lives and, although it may look a little different, it will still be full of love. I hope lots of fun, new ideas will come out of this challenging time.”

The overall goal is always a beautiful, fun, memorable event that even the client can sit back and enjoy.

The Wanderers Club is located at 1900 Aero Club Drive in Wellington. For more info., call (561) 795-3501 or visit www. wc.coth.com.

wellington the magazine | october 2020

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Same Great Selection Same Great Prices Convenient Location

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Always A Bride

A 25th Anniversary Celebration PHOTOS BY KRYSTAL CAPONE PHOTOGRAPHY

The 25-year anniversary is represented by the color silver, the silver jubilee, and the wonderful iris. Silver is both traditional and modern.

It is coveted for its radiance and brilliance, which is why silver makes the perfect material for commemorating this quarter century of shining love and dedication to one another.

The iris flower, as described by florists, embodies the spirit, love and aura of Paris, perhaps the most romantic of cities. It honors your time together as it stands tall and victorious in the sunlight, representing the strength and elegance of a relationship.

Wellington The Magazine caught up with the celebratory couple, Lenyce and Al Boyd, to reminisce on this special 25-year wedding anniversary photo shoot.

From newlyweds toasting with a pop of the champagne cork on their wedding day 25 years ago, to the busy parents, professionals and family they’ve become, the enduing commitment is always something to admire and celebrate. Here’s to an everlasting love story!

Where did you meet and how?

“We met back in 1991. I was out with my friend, and it was getting a little late,” Lenyce recalled.

“Just before we were about to leave, I saw him from across the room — he was so handsome!

He was talking to someone else, so I decided to take my friend’s advice and make eye contact — maybe a little much eye contact. Well, it worked. After talking for a few minutes, we quickly learned that we knew many of the same people and felt like we knew each other. He wanted to drive me home, but there was no way I was getting into a stranger’s car. Also, I was not ready to say goodbye. Being a true-crime junkie, I searched his entire car, gave his wallet to my friend, and she followed us all the way to my house, where he dropped me off at my door. We exchanged phone numbers, and the rest is history!”

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Where did you get married?

“We had a tiny wedding in Key West, attended by approximately 12 family members and friends — the original micro wedding! We were married on the back porch of the beautiful Audubon House & Tropical Gardens in Key West,” Lenyce said. “We go back often and had hoped to celebrate our 25th back there, but with the virus, those plans have changed. We are OK with that and will just celebrate our next one a little extra.”

Describe your family today?

“We are officially brand-new empty nesters. It is a little strange, since we have had children living at home for so many years! We are blessed beyond words and got so lucky with three amazing kids, who have all grown into successful, happy adults,” Lenyce said. “We pray about that and thank God constantly for the continued blessings. We keep ourselves busy with our businesses, home and pets, which grew by two during the quarantine. We adopted a puppy from Big Dog Ranch Rescue and a mini pony from the South Florida ASPCA. Now, we have two horses, three dogs and four hens that give us eggs every single day.”

How do you continue to grow your love for one another?

“By taking a moment each day to look at each other and truly see who we have grown into,” Lenyce said. “We have to embrace those little moments and all of the beauty and blessings in our life.

That’s the spark that keeps the fire burning.”

What is your favorite thing about each other?

“My favorite thing about Al is his kindness and open heart,” Lenyce said. “He wears his heart on his sleeve. The guy would

42 october 2020 | wellington the magazine

give away his last dollar to someone in need and always thinks of others. He is an incredible father and role model to young adults.

He is also pretty easy on the eyes.”

“The first thing that comes to mind is her eyes,” Al added. “I still remember so vividly the first time I saw Lenyce across the dance floor. Her soft eyes just drew me in as they do now every time.

All of the love in my life, being a daddy to three beautiful children and being Papa Al to several others, all started with Lenyce. My life is beautiful and has purpose because of her. And yet she is a strong woman who has kept me strong in times when I needed it.”

Is this photo shoot a part of renewing your vows?

“No vow renewal, but we had a beautiful family celebration planned to take place in the Keys, but with the travel restrictions and mandates, we had to postpone that,” Lencye said.

If you had to give a young couple words of advice, what would that be?

“I heard this advice many years ago, and I never forgot it. It rang so true for me,” Lenyce said. “The advice I would pass along to a young couple would be for them to continue to grow as individuals, support your partner’s dreams and try to never fall out of love, all at the same time.”

“I would say that lifting up your partner to achieve their dreams shows that you believe in them, that you have faith in their abilities and that you support their independence because you are confident in your love,” Al added. “And secondly, ‘listen more, talk less,’ which I’m still learning. You’d be surprised what great ideas or unique perspectives your partner will contribute if you just stop talking and listen.”

Photography: Krystal Capone Photography Location: The Ben Hotel West Palm Beach; Planning and Design: Fabuluxe Events; Cake: Johnson’s Custom Cakes; Groom’s Suit: The Tux Shop Palm Beach; Bride’s Dress: Bacio Bacio Bridal; Invitations, Place Cards, Menus, Wine Glass Engraving, Wine Bottle Engraving, Signage: Michelle B Calligraphy; Linens, Chargers, Chairs, Goblets: Atlas Event Rental; Hair, Makeup, Earrings, Hair Accessories: Phairis Luxury; Handbag: Cloe Noel.

e p a h s n i t e g g season in d d e w r fo

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Voted Best Private School in Palm Beach County Committed to Student Safety and Success

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You can also download our

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Visit our digital issue online at www.wellingtonthemagazine.com PHOTO BY ROSINA DIBELLO

wellington the magazine | october 2020

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Cheese And Charcuterie Boards Are At The Center Of Julie And Aaron Menitoff’s Latest Venture

Say Cheese

Cheese and charcuterie displays are no longer only for expensive catered affairs, thanks to CheeseBoarder.com. PHOTO BY LIBBYVISION.COM

Their smiles are charming, but it’s the unforgettable events Julie and Aaron Menitoff put together that really win people over. These days, their productions are downright cheesy.

The Wellington couple recently launched CheeseBoarder.com, shipping artistically presented, small-batch, artisanal cheeses and cured meats straight to customers’ doorsteps.

While the gourmet noshing is new, the creativity, quality and presentation behind it are inherent to every project the Menitoffs undertake. As the own-

ers of Wellington Hospitality Group, the couple has catered gatherings for the likes of Prince Harry, Bruce Springsteen and Serena Williams. They have developed hospitality programs for the most prestigious equestrian events in the world, built an eco-resort in Nicaragua and catered private parties for Palm Beach’s elite.

Then came 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Suddenly, social events were wiped from every calendar. Travel was grounded. Catering was put on the back burner, leaving Julie, Aaron and their

team looking for innovative ways to support their hospitality company.

After 16 years in the business, the Menitoffs knew cheese and charcuterie displays were the most requested catering items and often used as centerpieces at cocktail receptions. One of their last, large-scale events before the pandemic was an engagement party for equestrians Jennifer Gates and Nayel Nassar. They created a magnificent, 40foot grazing table.

“They produced an incredible cheese and charcuterie display for our engagewellington the magazine | october 2020

47

(Clockwise from top) The CheeseBoarder.com team specializes in farm-fresh products; the Terza Cheese & Charcuterie Board; owners Aaron and Julie Menitoff with one of their cheese boards; the Picolo Wholesale Cheese & Charcuterie Board; the Premium Mezzo Cheese & Charcuterie Board; the Premium Curata All Cheese Board; CheeseBoarder.com uses a patented, cold-packaged delivery system; and the Premium Cheese & Charcuterie Cake is a show-stopping edible gift. PHOTOS BY LIBBYVISION.COM

48 october 2020 | wellington the magazine

ment party. It was artistic and delicious, and our guests loved it,” said Jennifer Gates, president of Evergate Stables.

The Menitoffs decided to carve out their slice of the online, edible gift market. They partnered with their logistics manager, Angel Jerez, a sommelier. The team began with local deliveries of cheese and charcuterie. Jerez’s expertise allowed them to offer wine pairings as an option.

Now, with their newly constructed, FDA-approved facility complete, CheeseBoarder.com can ship their gourmet, handcrafted displays anywhere nationwide within 48 hours. They are getting attention from some big players in the specialty food arena. In October, CheeseBoarder.com will be distributed on Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer’s foodie shipping site, Goldbelly.com.

“No one else offers ready-to-eat cheese and charcuterie boards.You can order boxes with blocks of meat and cheese, which you then have to cut and plate,” said Aaron Menitoff, managing partner of CheeseBoarder.com. “Each of our boards come fully assembled and ready to serve with no preparation needed, just open and enjoy.Your guests will think you hired a caterer!”

The boards come in three sizes, serving three to 12 guests, and are coldpackaged for shipping using a vacuumsealed technique the team developed and patented. Each selection is accom-

“Each of our boards come fully assembled and ready to serve with no preparation needed, just open and enjoy.

Your guests will think you hired a caterer!”

— Aaron Menitoff panied by high-end specialty items ranging from dried passion fruit and Turkish figs to everything bagel-flavored cashews and Italian olives.

The social distancing rules of 2020 provided substantial growth for CheeseBoarder.com. As people connected through virtual events and meetings, CheeseBoarder.com presented a way for Zoom attendees to eat and drink together while staying separate.

Nonprofits eager to maintain fundraising have offered the boards during their virtual events, adding sponsor information and materials to the shipments, and even coordinating wine deliveries.

Without in-person charitable events, the Menitoffs feel that it is vital for CheeseBoarder.com to contribute to the community. Customers can choose to include a card created by clients at The Arc of Palm Beach County.

Proceeds from the cards benefit peoPHOTO BY LIBBYVISION.COM

ple with developmental disabilities. As CheeseBoarder.com grows, the couple hopes to employ clients from The Arc through the organization’s employment services program.

“Everything about this project aligns with our lifestyle and our values. The products promote the farm-to-table movement, the containers are ecofriendly, we are supporting a charity that we believe in, and the presentations are artistic,” said Julie Menitoff, CheeseBoarder.com’s general manager.

CheeseBoarder.com just entered the wholesale market.The smaller sizes can be ordered in bulk for businesses to resell to customers or to be sent as corporate gifts. Local companies are finding that these specialty boards are the cheesiest way to connect with clients.

Visit www.cheeseboarder.com for more information about this new, Wellington-based venture.

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Seasonal Isles at Wellington 4/3 $6,000/mo Annual Smithbrooke 2/2.1 $1700/mo wellington the magazine | october 2020

49

Today’s Real Estate Market Is Booming, Particularly For Tech-Savvy Realtors & Clients

Market Trends STORY BY M. DENNIS TAYLOR | PHOTO BY ABNER PEDRAZA

Realtors Mary Miller and Shelley Sandler.

Local real estate properties are selling like hotcakes amid the current pandemic, especially for tech-savvy Realtors and their clients who know the ins and outs of the sales tools available to help in socially distant home shopping.

Shelley Sandler and Mary Miller, two of Wellington’s leading Realtors associated with Illustrated Properties, agreed that the region is hot, real estate wise.

“There is a huge inventory shortage in the Wellington area, and the reason I believe this is happening is because of the quarantine,” Sandler said.“There are many people who now realize that they can work at home, and that home can be just about anywhere.They no longer have to wait to retire to find the home and the place where they want to live.

They realize they can have the home and the lifestyle they always wanted right now, and they are shying away from the big cities because of the fear of COVID-19 and the mass of people. Palm Beach County may have everything you want but without the congestion of Miami or Chicago.”

Miller stressed that the virus pandemic has given people a new perspective.

“I think you’ve pretty much hit the nail on the head. People can move wherever they want because they’re working pretty much from home. The other people, who are essential workers, have had the time that they spent at home these past few months to give them a new perspective on their lifewellington the magazine | october 2020 51

style,” she explained. “They may think, ‘Gee, this really isn’t my dream kitchen’ or ‘this isn’t the perfect home for us,’ and people nowadays have been staying in their homes longer, so they have a lot more equity to get the most out of their home, so it’s a win-win situation.”

Both Realtors believe that this strong market will continue.

“Some people think we are in a bubble,” Sandler said. “I don’t feel that way at all.”

“I don’t either,” Miller added. “The prices may drop a little bit, but I don’t see a crash, because in the last crash, properties were over-financed and there were a lot of bad loans. Now there are very strict rules to prevent any big crash because the loans are managed well.A correction will just be a dip, and the tight inventory with the pent-up demand will dissipate that drop. Any dip we experience in the future, and we come back to the biggest problem

“The benefits of living in Wellington are so numerous.

People from up north always remark that Wellington is a real town, a real hometown, and not just more urban sprawl.”

— Shelley Sandler we’re all facing, and that is we need more inventory.”

The pandemic has changed how real estate is marketed, and Illustrated Properties is at the forefront of the new trends in advertising, showing and closing.

Some sellers need more time, some have an empty home and are motivated.

“You structure your offer appropriately for each area and property,” Sandler said.

“We learned to become much more flexible, and we base our business on individual needs. It is more important than ever to have a Realtor that offers

specifically individualized service with the staff to support that level of service.”

Sandler and Miller are not a team, but individualized professionals whose service complements each other.“We have each other’s back,” they said almost in tandem.

The agents use 3D photos for cameras in the rooms, allowing viewers to look up and down and all around, and feel like they’re standing in the room and view a potential new home from their current home at their leisure.“We give them walkthroughs using Facetime,” Sandler said.

“We prequalify the prospective buyer so only the most interested and qualified come to an owner-occupied home,” said Miller, who explained that then they follow CDC protocols with social distancing, masks and gloves, and the visitors are alerted not to touch anything.“We don’t want to risk someone’s health to show the property.”

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Yet Miller explained that even something as bad as COVID-19 can bring about good things.

“Virtually viewing a property means you can really see the home and get to know if it meets your needs and dreams,” Miller said.“It has opened us up to a lot more virtual showings and made us more versatile.”

It has also made some Realtors stretch their comfort zones to adapt to all the new technology.

“Some of the techno-dinosaurs in the industry have been forced into the use of e-signature and online viewing. Some software is cumbersome, but we use something called AppFiles at Illustrated Properties, and it’s amazing and userfriendly,” Sandler said.

Knowing your clients’ needs is also crucial, Miller added.

“I spend a crazy amount of time making sure that the potential buyer is qualified and certain it is the kind of

“Virtually viewing a property means you can really see the home and get to know if it meets your needs. It has opened us up to a lot more virtual showings and made us more versatile.”

— Mary Miller house they want.There’s enough material online that you can see the property, but you have to be really serious before you walk through the home, especially in an owner-occupied dwelling,” Miller said.

These marketing and advertising innovations are here to stay in all communities and are heating up this bubbling market.

“The benefits of living in Wellington are so numerous,” said Sandler, who has lived in the community since 1986.“People from up north always remark that Wellington is a real town, a real home-

town, and not just more urban sprawl.”

Sandler explained that Wellington has a main street and a town center, excellent schools and parks, and some very specialized neighborhoods with the equestrian facets and the Aero Club, gated enclaves with HOAs, and areas with no gates or HOAs. “There is a nice combination of everything from huge luxury estate homes to townhouses,” Sandler said.

“Wellington has zoning and guidelines that keep it nice,” Miller added.

“I always thought that once my children were grown, I would move to another area, but every time I go outside of Wellington and look around, I come back here to the village,” Sandler said.

“I don’t know of another area that feels like Wellington.”

Learn more about Shelley Sandler at www.shelleysandlerproperties.com and Mary Miller at www.marymiller. net.

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wellington the magazine | october 2020 53

Survivor Jessica Duemig Warns That Breast Cancer Is A Concern For Women Of All Ages

Early Detection

BY M. DENNIS TAYLOR

Jessica Duemig was 32 years old when she discovered a lump that turned out to be breast cancer — eight years before she was due for her first mammogram. Since then, she has written a book about her experience and become an advocate for early detection of this dreaded disease.

Early one morning, Duemig was getting ready for work as an account services representative for an international advertising agency. Career-driven, she worked as a sports marketing expert rising the ranks in a high-pressure industry, when she noticed a sharp pain on her left side, right where the ribcage starts to curve.

“I thought it was a pimple that didn’t have a head on it, and I didn’t think any more about it, explained Duemig, a Wellington High School graduate.

The pimple-like spot went away, but it returned with a vengeance two months later. “One morning, it was back. It hurt, and it was four times the size it had been… The size of a big gumball,” recalled Duemig, who didn’t yet know that her career, in fact, her whole life, had suddenly hit a pink wall.

The bad news: stage two triple negative metaplastic breast cancer — and Duemig said that she can’t stress this enough, it was eight years before she thought she even had to begin worrying about breast cancer.

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october 2020 | wellington the magazine

(Above) Images from Jessica Duemig’s three-year battle with breast cancer.

“They usually start mammograms on women when they are 40,” said Duemig, who found the lump during a time period when she was being recruited for a new, even greater job on the client side of the business.“The doctor told me I’d have to put my life on hold. I said, ‘This isn’t going to work for me.’ My treatment plan followed my own rules. I started my new job the first day after my third chemo treatment. From diagnosis to done, it was seven months. I was single, no kids, materialistic, self-driven, and completely out of the blue, I was going to have a double mastectomy and chemotherapy.”

So, Duemig wrote her book, Warrior: Challenge Accepted.

“Warrior is the book I wished I had the day I got the diagnosis. It would have made a great gift,” she said. “Who was I going to talk to who understood me and my point in life?”

Breast cancer books on the market are not usually geared toward careerfocused women.

“There seem to be two types of cancer books,” said Duemig, describing the technical, medically oriented books written by healthcare professionals and, “The fluffy, girlie, kid-glove, softer approach.”

Her book is different.

“Warrior is the story of the battle I went through,” Duemig said.“The cover

“I’ve heard people say, ‘But mammograms are so uncomfortable. I will tell you what’s uncomfortable — surgery, chemo, cancer. That’s really uncomfortable.”

— Jessica Duemig matches the content. It’s raw and uncensored. It is for survivors and their supporters.”

She explained that the book is for women who have or want to have the “I got this” attitude.

“I went to the doctor the week between Christmas and New Year’s,” Duemig said.“I wanted to get in before my insurance reset at the beginning of the year.”

The doctor confirmed that there was a lump and immediately scheduled her for a mammogram and an ultrasound.

“I’ve heard people say, ‘But mammograms are so uncomfortable,” Duemig said. “I will tell you what’s uncomfortable — surgery, chemo, cancer. That’s really uncomfortable.”

The biopsy was also very unpleasant.

“It was the most painful thing that I’ve ever done,” she said.

The lump was growing fast and getting more solid, and if she had waited, it might have been too late.

Duemig was officially diagnosed Feb.

1, 2017. Immediately, she was scheduled for her operation, fertility preservation and four months of chemotherapy.“On Feb. 28, 2020, I was officially cured,” Duemig said. “Now, I am that voice in support groups I wish I had when it happened to me.”

At first, she didn’t think she needed a support group.“They asked me probably at least 15 times if I wanted to join a support group, and I’m very fortunate to have a tight-knit family and a huge group of friends, but none of them have ever been around cancer, and certainly not in someone so young,” Duemig said.

“I didn’t know at first that I needed a support group. But just having someone you can call who will sit there on the other end of the phone and listen to you helps. There’s nothing they can say to make it better. There’s no advice that’s going to make it OK.And I asked a lot of questions of the doctors directly.”

In her book, Duemig talks about the chemotherapy and the trepidation that patients have. wellington the magazine | october 2020 55

“You have to go into cancer treatment knowing you’re going to beat it, or at least having convinced yourself that you are, because the minute you start to doubt yourself, the minute you think it’s a death sentence, it very well could be.”

— Jessica Duemig

Jessica Duemig’s book is for women who have or want to have the “I got this” attitude.

“Their mindset can help them with their reaction,” she said.“Chemo is very real, and attitude is everything.You have to go into cancer treatment knowing you’re going to beat it, or at least having convinced yourself that you are, because the minute you start to doubt yourself, the minute you think it’s a death sentence, it very well could be.”

The way the disease affects people is different.

“I was a warrior,” she said. “I gained weight during chemotherapy.That’s unusual, but it shows that attitude is everything.Warrior definitely takes the fear of the unknown off the table. It puts into words what the patient can’t in the heat

of the moment when they are literally fighting for their lives.”

In the book, Duemig shares her story, but does not suggest it fits everyone’s situation.

“The book is my experience,” she said. “It is not a recipe book. It is the practical preparation I took and should have taken if someone had told me. It is a guidebook of what to expect, to empower people.”

Warrior: Challenge Accepted by Jessica Duemig is available in hardcover, paperback and audio form on Amazon.Visit www.warriorguidebook.com or www.facebook.com/warriorguidebook to learn more.

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october 2020 | wellington the magazine

Mammograms Should Remain A Priority Even In Uncertain Times

Breast Health

The pandemic has thrown things into disarray, causing most people to change habits and delay plans. But one activity women should not postpone is getting a mammogram. Cancer won’t wait until the pandemic ends.

“We advocate annual screenings because patients have better outcomes if we catch cancer early. That hasn’t changed,” said radiologist Dr. Kathy Schilling, medical director of the Christine E. Lynn Women’s Health & Wellness Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. “There are more treatment options in the early stages — less aggressive therapies if we find things when they are small and detected early.”

At the center of the region’s COVID-19 response, Boca Regional has played a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of the community — caring for the sick, working at the forefront of local efforts to investigate treatments and speaking out about the importance of protective measures. At the same time, keeping in mind the wider healthcare picture, the hospital has upheld the highest-quality care in emergency medicine, women’s health and more.

Breast cancer screenings were among the elective procedures that were put on hold in March under state and federal guidelines, creating a backlog for thousands of women. However, those restrictions have been lifted for several months now. If you haven’t had a mammogram since last year, it’s time to make that appointment.

“Some women may be tempted to say, ‘I’m going to skip this year, and I’ll

State-of-the-art breast imaging is available.

just go back next year when things are a little bit better.’ We don’t want that to happen,” Schilling said.“We don’t want a delay of a few months to turn into a year.

We will see bigger, palpable breast cancers if patients don’t come in for their screenings.”

Statistics show that one in eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. Despite advances, it is the second-leading cause of cancer death among women. Experts estimate that in 2020, there will be 276,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed in the U.S. and more than 42,170 breast cancer deaths.

While mammograms don’t prevent breast cancer, they can save lives by detecting it before a lump can be felt.

When found in the early stages while breast cancer is still localized, the five-

year survival rate is 99 percent.

Although concerns about COVID-19 might be at the forefront right now, that should not derail regular health screenings or medical care. Even if mammograms have never detected problems in the past, patients can’t assume they’re in the clear for the future. Cancers grow at different rates, and a “normal” mammogram one year is no guarantee that things won’t change the next time.

“Annual screenings are really important. They have helped us cut the mortality of breast cancer over the years by 40 percent,” Schilling said. “We have to maintain the screening protocols or we will lose the gains from the past. Without timely screening, we’re going to see a lot more patients presenting with larger cancers that require more aggressive therapies and more radical surgeries.” wellington the magazine | october 2020

57

Dr. Kathy Schilling, medical director of the Christine E. Lynn Women’s Health & Wellness Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital.

The institute’s Schmidt Family Center for Breast Care uses the most advanced, state-of-the-art imaging equipment to get 3-D breast scans. The innovative Senographe Pristina produces faster and more detailed pictures than traditional X-ray images. The equipment was designed for patient comfort, with gentle, rounded corners and contoured armrests instead of handgrips to enhance relaxation. In addition, control can literally be in the hands of the patient with the Dueta remote device, which allows patient-initiated compression for a more comfortable mammogram.

New this year, revolutionary “artificial intelligence” software is assisting radiologists in detecting abnormalities with unrivaled accuracy, resulting in 8 percent higher cancer detection rates and 7 percent fewer false-positive exams.

“We opened with the simple mission of saving lives through early cancer detection,” said Schilling, noting that the Schmidt Center is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. “Thanks to innovative technologies and treatments, clinical research and partnerships with skilled professionals, we are doing just that.”

In 2019, for example, the percentage of breast cancer cases the Lynn Wom58 october 2020 | wellington the magazine

en’s Institute caught in the early stages was 72 percent. The national percentage was 49 percent.

Patients can return to the Schmidt Center’s three locations with confidence, knowing that safeguards are in place to prevent exposure to the virus.

In addition to contactless registration, enhanced cleaning and social distancing in the lobby, the center is taking safety steps such as doubling the time between appointments and having patients undress alone in the exam room rather than in a common changing room. Everyone, including all staff, must wear a mask.

“Patients shouldn’t be fearful,” Schilling said.“They can trust that we are doing everything we possibly can to protect them.”

Don’t allow finances to deter you, either. If you have no health insurance due to pandemic-related layoffs or for any other reason, you may qualify for assistance to get a mammogram. The institute has generous donors and outstanding community support from organizations such as PinkBall, a group of local “baseball moms” who raise money to help cover breast care for underinsured or uninsured women. For more information about financial assistance, call (561) 955-4294.

“We are here to provide women unparalleled care for every stage of life,” Schilling said. “We address a woman’s unique medical needs with unrelenting attention to clinical excellence, patient satisfaction and patient safety.”

Learn more about Boca Raton Regional Hospital’s Christine E. Lynn Women’s Health & Wellness Institute at www.brrh.com/services/lynn-womensinstitute. To request an appointment at a Baptist Health diagnostic imaging location, call (786) 573-6000 or visit www.baptisthealth.net/breasthealth.

For other questions, call the patient care coordinator at (561) 955-7130.

Wellington Regional Medical Center Opens Wellington Center Of Internal Medicine

Supporting Patients Once patients are discharged from the hospital, being quickly readmitted is not high on their list of upcoming goals.

Providing appropriate care while in the hospital and follow-up care after discharge can help to reduce the need for readmission. In fact, that follow-up care can be critical in making sure that the progress patients make in the hospital continues after discharge.

With the changing model of dedicated hospitalist-based care, the hospitalist physician has become standard practice in medicine. For patients who do not have a primary doctor, or at the request of a community physician, an internal medicine physician assigned to the hospital provides care for patients while they are hospitalized.

The hospitalist follows the patient throughout the stay, and when the patient is well enough to be discharged, patients are referred back to their primary care physician. But what about patients who do not have a primary provider?

To help address this gap and to provide the continuum of care from the hospital bedside and beyond, Wellington Regional Medical Center has opened the Wellington Center of Internal Medicine located on the hospital’s main campus.

The new clinic provides patients discharged from WRMC the opportunity to have the important follow-up care with physicians who were part of their care team while in the hospital.

As a teaching hospital, the physicians at the Wellington Center of Internal Medicine have access to the latest

medical education, clinical research and up-to-date clinical practices. All that expertise is now available in an outpatient setting through the new clinic.

“The Wellington Center for Internal Medicine is committed to providing exceptional adult primary care,” said Dr. Alejandro Biglione, associate program director of the Wellington Center for Internal Medicine. “Our goal is to ensure that our patients feel comfortable with their health knowing that they have a medical provider for life.”

The Wellington Center of Internal Medicine is a full-service outpatient internal medicine practice with five exam rooms, an onsite lab and a procedural room.

The clinic is located 10111 W. Forest Hill Blvd, Suite 231, in the building located directly east of the hospital’s main entrance. It specializes in the treatment of patients age 18 and over. Some of the

services available at the clinic include wellness checkups, sick visits, posthospital follow-up care, diabetes maintenance, management of chronic conditions, immunizations, sports physicals and chronic medical condition management.

“Your health is important to us. That is why our physicians follow the latest guidelines and treatments when caring for our patients,” Biglione said.“Whether it is for a routine physical or a serious illness that requires a hospital stay, the team at the Wellington Center of Internal Medicine is committed to providing quality adult primary care.”

The center can accommodate walkins and same-day visits for urgent patient care needs. To schedule an appointment, call (561) 472-2590. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and accepts most health insurances. wellington the magazine | october 2020 59

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Please Call In Advance For A Complimentary Consultation And Appointment.

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Leukemia & Lymphoma Society To Host 2020 Light The Night Event Nov. 12

Going Virtual

In a world of uncertainty, one thing is for sure — cancer doesn’t stop during a global crisis. Individuals and communities nationwide are tapping into their inner creativity and survival skills to pivot to, at least for now, a virtual way of living.

This year, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) will host its signature community fundraising campaign, Light The Night, as a virtual event.

Given the ongoing health risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, LLS determined that a virtual Light The Night is the most responsible approach. But that doesn’t mean it won’t be the most inspiring and impacting Light The Night ever, because just as blood cancer sees no boundaries, this year’s Light The Night can be everywhere and anywhere. LLS’s Palm Beach-Treasure Coast chapter will host its 2020 Light The Night virtual event on Thursday, Nov. 12.

“Blood cancer patients need us now more than ever. We will gather virtually to bring light to the darkness of cancer, creating memorable moments across the country, through an exciting, interactive virtual experience for LLS staff, volunteers, patients and all supporters,” said DeAnn Hazey, LLS executive director of the South Florida Region. “As we’ve done throughout our 71-year history, LLS will ‘virtually’ reinvent the peerto-peer fundraising category through our unparalleled ingenuity, resourcefulness, innovation and relentless drive to deliver our mission.”

Light The Night is a fundraising event benefiting LLS and its funding of lifesav-

ing research to find blood cancer cures.

Coming together for a common goal, friends, family and co-workers form fundraising walk teams. Culminating in inspiration and memorable evening walks every fall, participants in communities across North America join together carrying illuminated lanterns to take steps to end cancer — white for survivors, red for supporters and gold in memory of loved ones lost to cancer.

LLS’s signature fundraisers like Light The Night have helped LLS invest nearly $1.3 billion in cutting-edge research worldwide, fueling nearly every critical

advancement in blood cancer treatment that spans the most promising treatment approaches now being tested in clinical trials for other cancers and diseases.

“Light The Night’s virtual platform will be an interactive and engaging experience allowing LLS supporters and volunteers to enjoy the same iconic elements of Light The Night — illuminated lanterns, Circle of Survivors and the Remembrance Pavilion — in a different format but with the same passion to bring an end to blood cancers once and for all,” Hazey said. “Join us as, together,

In previous years, Light The Night brought people together with illuminated lanterns and more.

wellington the magazine | october 2020

61

“The virtual platform will be an interactive and engaging experience allowing LLS supporters and volunteers to enjoy the same iconic elements of Light The Night.”

— DeAnn Hazey LLS will be the voice that speaks up, the hand that reaches out and the light that cures cancer.”

Last year, there were almost 200 teams registered for the Palm Beach and Boca Raton walks combined.The virtual event is expected to grow that number, as the walk is more accessible to not only fundraisers and sponsors, but patients and survivors, who would not otherwise be able to attend this year’s event.

Teams participate in the event from all over the Palm Beach-Treasure Coast region, coming from Boca Raton to Wel-

the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.

The LLS Children’s Initiative is a $100 million multi-year effort to take on children’s cancer through every facet of LLS’s mission: research, patient education and support, and policy and advocacy. The LLS Children’s Initiative includes more pediatric research grants, a global precision medicine clinical trial, expanded free education and support services for children and families, and driving policies and laws that break down barriers to care. To learn more, visit www.lls.org/childrens-initiative.

Founded in 1949 in New York, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.lls.org. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Remembrance Pavilion.

lington up to Vero Beach.The interactive web site features a virtual Circle of Survivors, Remembrance Pavilion, Opening Ceremony, Kids Zone and more.

To form a team or to learn more about how you can become involved in this year’s virtual Light The Night campaign, visit www.lightthenight.org/sofl.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a global leader in the fight against cancer. Its mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around

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1200 Corporate Center Way, Suite 103 | Wellington, Florida 33414 62 october 2020 | wellington the magazine

Tasty, Unique Dishes In A Quaint Atmosphere At Mo Mole le Cantina Mexicana

Authentic Mexican STORY AND PHOTOS BY MELANIE KOPACZ

The Mexican cuisine is as diverse as the sauce behind the name at one of Wellington’s newest restaurants, Mole Cantina Mexicana on State Road 7.

“It’s a melting pot,” owner Nick Cervera said.“Mole is a special sauce. It has got a chocolate base and is made with about 30 different ingredients. It’s used primarily for very special events. It’s got dried chillies, nuts, dried banana, spices and it comes in a paste form. It’s a very complicated sauce — an ancient sauce that originated in Puebla.”

It’s that integration of ingredients that served as inspiration for Cervera and his wife Maria Elizalde, who is the chef and creator of the cantina’s cuisine.

“We opened our first location back in 1991 in New York City, where I’m from.

We were first dating. She’s Mexican, I’m Italian American. It was like a metaphor for New York — a melting pot of many different ingredients. It was a ‘mole’ of sorts,” Cervera recalled.

Three New York locations later and now one in Florida, the duo brings with them a broad range of cuisine, much based on their travels throughout Mexico, as well as Elizalde’s native Mexico City. Her mother creates the blend for their unique mole sauce and ships it to the restaurant, where it’s then completed, homemade in-house.

Their specialty Enchiladas De Mole Poblano is one of those dishes with the sweet, nutty, yet subtly spicy delicacy.

It’s made with three shredded chicken enchiladas smothered in the artisanal homemade mole poblano sauce topped

(Clockwise from top left) Outdoor seating is available at a large outdoor patio; Enchiladas De Mole Poblano is a house specialty that comes with three shredded chicken enchiladas smothered in the signature mole poblano sauce; Ceviche De Camaron is a Mexico City-style shrimp ceviche with citrus, tomatoes, onions, cilantro and avocado; the kitchen’s open archway is crowned with authentic Mexican tiles; a pork chop layered in tomatillo sauce, sesame seeds and red onion; and handcrafted tequila cages house 125 varieties.

with melted cheese, sesame seeds and avocado slices. It’s hugely popular, as are a number of other authentic dishes.

“We have different dishes from all different regions, like the Cochinita Pibil.

That is a dish from the Yucatan and the surrounding regions. We have carnitas, which is from Michoacán,” Cervera said.

“Sometimes we do barbacoa, which is from Hidalgo. So, all the dishes come wellington the magazine | october 2020 63

Outdoor seating, with a large outdoor patio, has a dozen tables with umbrellas alongside an open air bar, which opens both to the inside and out. Flowers and strung lights fill the triangular space.

from different regions.We also do beautiful nightly specials, and not something that is leftover.They’re specials because we want to show the regionality of the

John F. Froehlich

food that you wouldn’t find anywhere else.”

The two do all their own shopping locally and base their specials on what they find. “If we’re at the market and find a nice piece of meat, we’ll do, for instance, a prime New York strip steak grilled. So, we’ll do steak fajitas. We also found oysters, so we did oyster tacos Baja-style from the west coast of Mexico,” Cervera said.

Their ceviche is a delicacy dripping with freshness, served cocktail style.

“There’s the shrimp ceviche, or ceviche Campuzano served with shrimp and octopus. Our ceviches are phenomenal,” Cervera said.

Another favorite appetizer is the Queso Fundido, a fondue made with Chihuahua cheese that comes out on a sizzling, cast-iron plate. “We also do the Americanized version of Mexican food, like burritos and hard-shell tacos and chimichangas,” Cervera added.

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october 2020 | wellington the magazine

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The cantina truly is a unique blend with all the feelings of Mexico and a design Cervera created for each of his restaurants with the intent to bring customers on a trip with him.

Warm golden walls surround the dining area. Black and white photos tell unique stories of roads less traveled.Bold chandeliers create a subtle elegance, as do petite, colorful papier-mâché flower centerpieces dotting every table. Each table is also unique, handcrafted with 200-year-old reclaimed wood.

The open kitchen and serving area archway is filled with authentic Mexican tiles. “That’s our look. It’s designed from an ancient tile from Puebla, Mexico,” Cervera said.

Those tiles can also be seen at the bar, which offers 125 different tequilas and mezcals. They’re housed overhead in unique tequila cages.

“Our margaritas — we use a fresh squeezer.We don’t mix, and we use 100

percent pure lime juice.We offer our tequilas and mezcals by the glass.You can make it into a margarita or have it on the rocks,” Cervera said.

There’s also a wide variety of beer, as well a scotch and bourbon list. Cervera even has his own brand of tequila,“Don Reyes,” which is a tribute to Elizalde’s father. “It has a creamy, caramelly nose with a strong agave finish,” he explained.

The bar extends to the outdoor patio, creating an open-air space connecting the two. “The bar is set up so you can sit outside or inside,” he said. “The back bar and cabinetry behind the bar is made from centuries-old white pine, all brought down from New York.”

In all, there is seating for 130 between both the dining room and 12 outdoor tables. It’s a perfect atmosphere night or day, including weekends for Mexican brunch, which includes a variety of huevos dishes, Bloody Mary specialty drinks and mimosas.

Opening in early February, they’ve been working hard on their labor of love through the pandemic. As restrictions are lifted, Cervera plans to add entertainment, like a salsa night. He’s also an avid car collector and hopes to host a car event, as well as tequila tastings.

For now, they’re focused on filling their customers with their unique cuisine. “My portions are huge,” Cervera said.“No one has ever complained in my restaurant in 30 years that my portions are small.”

It’s that spirit of fulfillment and diversity of flavor that they hope will keep their customers coming back and bring new ones to explore Mexican culture through their cuisine. “Who else has mole made by hand?” Cervera asked.

Mole Cantina Mexicana is located at 2557 S. State Road 7, Suite 150, near Whole Foods Market in Wellington Green Commons. Hours are Monday through Thursday noon to 10 p.m., Fri-

A vintage Mexican movie is projected onto one of the dining room walls.

day noon to 11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Carryout and delivery are available.

For more info., call (561) 355-5322 or visit www.molecantinamexicana. com.

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